Summer 2019 - Volume 8, Issue 4

News and Information from Superintendent Dr. Gregory Franklin for employees of the Tustin Unified School District

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Superintendent’s Message: Joy in a Challenging World

Congratulations to each of you on another outstanding school year in the Tustin Unified School District. While this year offered its share of challenges, the TUSD team banned together and continued to do what it does best - provide a caring, stimulating and supportive environment in which students thrive. I was happy to read the several hundred responses that staff members submitted to the question “What brought you joy this year?” I want to share some of them with you. The vast majority of responses fall into a few major categories - student learning, connection with students, colleagues, mindfulness and important “moments.” Many people mentioned the joy they receive when viewing the growth of students throughout the year, or the breakthrough moment of “I can read!” Or the grit they observe in students sticking to the math problem until they solve it. It was

stated different ways, but the sentiment was joy and pride in student academic achievement. Others mentioned the personal connections they make with students through morning circles, Mindful Mondays, group yoga, and building classroom communities. As one student was quoted “our class feels like a family.” The attention paid to student social-emotional learning has been inspiring. Others mentioned the wonderful colleagues with whom they work and the special memories that were created for students and adults. Performances, welcome-back festivities, musical showcases, Secretaries Breakfast, the film festivals, and impactful professional development were among the memorable impressions of joy that were shared. Still others took great joy in doing good work that served students, staff and families. These cards of joy remind me that a great life provides an opportunity to do meaningful work with great people. Thanks to each of you for the important work you do and may your summer be equally joyful! Go TUSD! Gregory A. Franklin, Ed.D.

Deputy Superintendent Kathie Nielsen Retiring in June Kathie Nielsen, Deputy Superintendent, Educational Services, is retiring on June 4. A retirement celebration was held on May 8 at the Tustin Community Center at the Tustin Market Place. “I have been so honored to be a part of the amazing Tustin Unified School District leadership team these past 20 years and am so proud of the work we have done to transform teaching and learning,” Nielsen said. “I have incredible confidence in the new team and am excited to see continued growth and progress throughout the District.” Nielsen has worked in public education for 36 years – the past 20 years in TUSD. During her career in Tustin Unified, she has served as chief academic officer, director of elementary education, principal of Red Hill and Marjorie Veeh elementary schools, coordinator of literacy training for grades K-3 and teacher on special assignment in reading. Prior to TUSD, she was an elementary teacher in the Irvine Unified School District for 15 years. Nielsen oversees the K-12 instructional program for TUSD, which has achieved academic growth for nine consecutive years in all subgroups and seen an increase in the high school graduation rate to 98 percent. She supervises 30 schools, as well as the English Learners, Kindergarten Readiness and Adult Education programs; organizes curriculum and professional development for 900 teachers and administrators; and provides oversight of the District’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). She also launched a successful transition to 21st century learning, including instructional transformations in the classroom, technology integration and transition to the Common Core State Standards.

Additionally, Nielsen has successfully pursued grant opportunities for Tustin Unified, including California Partnership grants for two high schools, Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grants for three middle schools, after-school education and safety grants for nine schools, and the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation science grant for 18 elementary schools. She has also maintained strong relationships with community organizations such as the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, The Irvine Company, Assistance League of Tustin, Orange County Rescue Mission and Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

Kathie Nielsen and her family get together at the retirement party. Photo courtesy of John Garrett

Among her accomplishments, Nielsen has been named TUSD Administrator of the Year in curriculum and instruction four times – 2017, 2014, 2011 and 2010 – and represented the District in the Orange County Administrators of the Year Awards Program, sponsored by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Region 17.

TUSD Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Dr. Grant Litfin, center, was recognized for being named 2019 Orange County CTE Administrator of the Year at the ACSA Administrators of the Year Awards Ceremony and Dinner. Joining Litfin at the recognition ceremony are, from left, TUSD Superintendent Dr. Gregory Franklin and TUSD Board of Education members Francine Scinto and Lynn Davis. Photo courtesy of Myra Overstreet/Lifetouch

Grant Litfin Named 2019 Orange County and California CTE Administrator of the Year by ACSA

Tustin Unified School District Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services, Dr. Grant Litfin has been named 2019 Orange County and California Career Technical Education (CTE) Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). Litfin represented the Tustin School Management Association in the ACSA Administrators of the Year program. ACSA annually recognizes outstanding administrators for their leadership skills, professionalism, creativity, innovation, and commitment to a quality education. Litfin was recognized at the 46th annual ACSA “Orange County Administrators of the Year and Friends of Education Awards” Dinner on May 13 at the Irvine Marriott. Region 17 represents 28 school districts in Orange County. Litfin has worked in public education for 18 years – the past seven in Tustin Unified. He oversees the Informational Technology Department, Career Technical Education (CTE), and Enrollment/Transfers. During his time in the District, Litfin has established business partnerships, coordinated CTE Pathway courses, and has helped oversee TUSD’s annual College Night and Career Fair. He also serves on the Coastline Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Steering Committee, OC Pathways Executive Committee for Orange County, State Strong Workforce Selection Committee and Tustin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Since Litfin has come to TUSD, the District has added CTE coursework to all six middle schools, started a K-12 robotics league with teams from all 29 schools, expanded computer science and high school engineering programs, and implemented a high school career pathway program culminating in a capstone class and recognition at graduation for 13 different pathways.

TUSD 2019 School/Work Site Classified Employees of the Year were recognized at the “Classified Celebration at the Courtyard” event on May 20 at the District Administration Center.

Photos courtesy of John Garrett

TUSD Celebrates 2019 Classified Employees of the Year

Honour Del Crognale, library media technician at Heritage Elementary School, has been selected as the 2019 Classified Employee of the Year by the Tustin Unified School District. Del Crognale was chosen based on her significant contributions to the District and community. The 22nd annual awards program recognizes classified or support services employees whose contributions to TUSD have proven to be outstanding. The award is given to a classified employee who provides valuable services to their school and contributes to a positive instructional environment. “It is a tremendous honor to be chosen as the District’s Classified Employee of the Year,“ Del Crognale said. “I feel very grateful to be employed by a school district that honors its employees in such a way. It’s truly a privilege to represent the District’s wonderful library staff who work so hard to bring the magic of reading to Tustin Unified students. I’m lucky to be one of them.” Del Crognale has worked at Heritage for three-and-a-half years and was recognized for going “above and beyond” for the students and staff at the school. She offers support to the school both during and beyond the instructional day. Del Crognale spends countless hours and weekend days building a diverse book collection in the school library, decorating the library based on the seasons, hosting popular book fairs, collaborating with teachers to support the educational program, and seeking resources and materials to improve the library collection. She also serves on the school’s facilities master plan committee and site council. Additionally, Del Crognale is active in the Assistance League of Tustin and ensures new students from the Village of Hope at the Orange County Rescue Mission receive school uniforms and supplies. She also

initiated a new program with the Assistance League to have extra food on hand for children who may not have a healthy breakfast and come to school hungry. Tustin Unified’s other 2019 School/work Site Classified Employees of the Year include: District Administration Center: Sharon Walters, information systems specialist, Educational Services Department. Maintenance and Operations: James Johnson, groundsperson. Elementary Schools: Bernice Brodell, paraeducator (instructional aide), Arroyo; Janis Bailey, office assistant, Benson; Laura Primanti, paraeducator behavioral interventionist, Beswick; Cristi Gauther, office assistant, Estock; Debbie Nelson, health clerk, Guin Foss; Gail Carstens, library media technician, Heideman; Jennifer Puente, paraeducator, Hicks Canyon; Beverly Duncan, paraeducator, Ladera; Robert McMurtrey, custodian, Loma Vista; Linda McCord, office assistant/community liaison, Myford; Mayra Vega, behavioral intervention assistant, Nelson; Nina Diesner, paraeducator, Peters Canyon; Susan Hanson, health clerk, Red Hill; James Campos, custodian, Thorman; Kristin McNamara, office assistant, Tustin Memorial Academy; Alma Higgins, paraeducator, Tustin Ranch; and Nicole Hodge, paraeducator, Veeh. Orchard Hills School: Lori Fiduk, school secretary. Middle Schools: Leilani Resurreccion, data clerk, Columbus Tustin; Andrea Ramirez, paraeducator, Currie; Cindy McCarthy, school secretary, Hewes; Jose Portillo, campus supervisor, Pioneer; and Cyndi Estrada, school secretary, Utt. High Schools: Debbie Murphy, attendance specialist, Beckman; Nancy Mendoza, technologist, Foothill; Kathy Valdovinos, office assistant/health clerk, Hillview; and Monica Sanchez, licensed vocational nurse, Tustin. Del Crognale and all nominees were honored by the TUSD Board of Education at a special recognition ceremony, “Classified Celebration at the Courtyard,” on May 20 at the District Administration Center.

Orchard Hills School Team A members Olivia Ramirez, Amisha Chandra, Amy Nguyen, Elina Kim, Tara Hamadani, and Kristina Tu hold the Design Award they won at the VEX World Championships.

TUSD Robotics Teams Win Titles at World Championships Eleven teams from TUSD Robotics earned the opportunity to compete against the best at the 2019 VEX Robotics World Championships at Louisville, Kentucky. Around 15,000 students representing 40 different countries attended the robotics event to compete at all levels, elementary through college. Tustin Unified’s teams competed with almost 200 middle school teams and nearly 600 high school teams. In the end, TUSD Robotics earned four World Championship titles, according to Computer Science and Engineering TOSA and TUSD Robotics Lead Cari Williams. The all-girls middle school team from Orchard Hills School won the prestigious “Design Award” for their documentation of the engineering design process used to build their robot and their exceptional interview skills. Orchard Hills Robohawks Discovery Team: Students Amisha Chandra, Tara Hamadani, Elina Kim, Amy Nguyen, Olivia Ramirez and Kristina Tu; and teacher-coach Megan Lund.

Tustin Memorial Academy was a first-time attendee and sent two teams to the World Championships. The school earned the “Innovate Award” for having the most innovative design feature on their robot. Tustin Memorial Academy Team DETARO: students Derrick Chen, Rohan Hablani and Tanvi Shah; and teacher-coaches Coach Debbie Mulligan and Devra Staller. The Foothill High School Knight Time Bots dominated their divisions with Team X making it to the semifinals and Team A winning their entire division of 100 teams.

Foothill Knight Time Bots Team A Division Champions: Students Ryan Botzbach, Miguel Craven, Jacob Dabrow, Jake Johnson, Leon Sit and Calvin Woolfolk; and engineering teacher-coach Jeff Farr. Foothill Knight Time Bots Team X – Division Semi-Finalists: Students Gina Bonilla, Blaise Collins, Tim Jang, Elliot Maderazo, Zach Nelson and Danny Romo; and engineering teacher-coach Jeff Farr. Additionally, a special ceremony was held to award the VEX Online Challenge winners. Three students from the Beckman High School Robopatties Team R, led by engineering teacher-coach Siu Kong Sit, won individual awards: Devin Ho – Computer-Aided Design (CAD) VEX Online Challenge, Alan Onuma – CAD VEX Online Challenge and VanAnh Nguyen – Girl Powered Online Challenge.

Educational Services: Summer Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

The Tustin Unified School District is excited to offer summer professional development opportunities for teachers who are interested in collaborating and learning with colleagues over the summer break. The Elementary Summer School Learning Lab will once again be offered for teachers who would like to observe and learn from teachers during summer school on June 11, 12, 18 and 19. Participating teachers will have the opportunity to study and explore effective mathematics strategies. Topics covered will include how to assist students in building a positive math mindset, building number sense routines and reasoning skills. TUSD will also be kicking off many of its year-long Teacher Learning Academies in August. TUSD Learning Academies will provide an opportunity for a group of teachers to learn and grow together focusing on a specific area of study. Academies will be offered in the areas of English/Language Arts, Writing, Mathematics, Digital Storytelling, Inclusion, Science, History/Social Sciences, English Language Development and more. Through the process of collaborative reflection and synthesis, teachers will build skills that will enhance levels of student learning and share strategies and successful practices.

Marjorie Veeh Elementary School teachers, from left, Kristen Eddins, Gabby Rodriguez, Pamela Quevedo and Karen Michel are hard at work during professional development activity.

A three-day Digital Storytelling professional development is being offered for teachers from July 31 to August 2. A cohort of 30 teachers will explore an introduction to digital storytelling which will include learning effective ways to teach students to storyboard, take effective shots and utilize innovative equipment. On August 7, a Kindergarten Summit will be held to specifically support the needs of kindergarten teachers as they prepare to offer a full-day kindergarten schedule. District instructional coaches will be sharing resources and learning experiences, helping to set up systems that support literacy and math development, and looking at schedules and teaching practices to help guide teachers through the year.

Veeh School Pays Tribute to Students, Staff and Parents

Marjorie Veeh Elementary School held a “Salute to Veeh: A Closing Ceremony” on May 24. Current and former Veeh teachers, principals and staff members, as well as students and parents attended the event. The Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program at Veeh is going to Jeane Thorman Elementary School, and Hillview High School is moving to the Veeh site. Above, Veeh Principal Rafael Plascencia, left, and current teachers participated in the school festivities, which included speeches and song performances.

Top photo: Pioneer Middle School PAL students stand and deliver; and right photo: Tustin Memorial Academy PAL advisor Debbie Mulligan has a banner day.

Tustin Memorial Academy and Pioneer Middle School PAL Programs

Honored for Outstanding Work

The Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) programs at Tustin Memorial Academy and Pioneer Middle School were recently honored by the Orange County Department of Education for working to create and enhance youth engagement in campuses and communities. The PAL program is known for the development of youth leaders who outreach on school campuses through new student transition, conflict management, peer helping, tutoring, and prevention activities. Tustin Memorial Academy fifth-grade teacher Debbie Mulligan was named 2019 Outstanding PAL Advisor. Mulligan started the PAL program at Tustin Memorial Academy eight years ago and since then, she has grown the program to over 20 highly motivated students this year. She excels at making sure each PAL student feels involved and empowered to make an impact through PAL at their school and within their community. The peer leaders have been trained to help mentor younger students on the playground to help them with conflict resolution, leadership skills, service learning, communication, peer and cross-age teaching. She also conducts certification training for the PAL students. They lead many projects and events for the school and their presence is well-established on campus. Mulligan gives students a reason to believe in themselves and a purpose in supporting those around them. Pioneer Middle School was selected as 2019 Outstanding PAL program. The Pioneer PAL program strives to create impactful projects that positively benefit the school and community. The 40 students in the PAL class plan, implement and evaluate their projects with the support of PAL advisor Mark Payne. In an effort

to support building a positive school climate, they host a month-long Kindness Challenge and Red Ribbon Week activities, serve as “Secret PALs” to show appreciation for the school’s staff and host PAL Olympics sporting events. Every Monday, they walk to Peters Canyon Elementary School to provide tutoring to first-, second- and third-grade students. They also conduct several community service activities including “Cookies for Cops,” “Ornaments for Firefighters,” holiday caroling at senior citizen centers and donating to several organizations and charity drives, such as the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Second Harvest Food Bank. To get the word out about their service projects, the PAL students create a monthly newsletter for students, staff and parents. Pioneer PALs believe it is better to give than to receive and will do whatever it takes to help their school and community.

Construction continues at Legacy Magnet Academy, which is scheduled to open in August 2020.

Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities: Construction Teams Gear Up for Summer Work

Tustin Unified School District staff will be managing or directly performing over 140 maintenance and construction projects across 28 schools this summer. The majority of the scheduled work will be completed over the summer break, while other projects such as Legacy Magnet Academy will still be in construction during the school year. Each respective project varies in scope and complexity and ranges from a few hundred dollars to about $60 million for Legacy Magnet Academy. The other major projects this summer include:

• Carpet replacement, roof repairs, fencing, exterior/interior painting, concrete replacement, and slurry/striping at various school sites

• Portable classroom additions and parking expansion at Benson Elementary School • Culinary Arts remodel at Foothill High School • Science lab modernization at Utt Middle School • Special Education room remodel at Columbus Tustin Middle School • Weight training room enhancements at Tustin High School • Design approvals for solar carports/shade structures at 14 sites • Various program relocations

TUSD’s 28 School Site Teachers of the Year were honored at the Tustin Public Schools Foundation’s Teacher of the Year Dinner. Photo below: Secondary Teacher of the Year Stacy Colón (Beckman High School) and Elementary Teacher of the Year Megan Venezia (Estock School) received the top awards. Photos courtesy of John Garrett

Tustin Public Schools Foundation: TUSD Teachers of the Year Recognized at Awards Dinner

The 25th annual Teacher of the Year Dinner was held on May 17 at the Irvine Marriott. Nearly 800 guests attended the event, which honored 28 teachers nominated by each of the Tustin Unified schools. It was a night of celebration and inspiration as the audience heard the accomplishments of those who help students reach their potential. The event was co-sponsored by the Tustin Public Schools Foundation and Tustin Unified School District. Megan Venezia, third-grade teacher at Helen Estock Elementary School, and Stacy Colón, physical education teacher at Arnold O. Beckman High School, were selected as the 2019 Teachers of the Year by the Tustin Unified School District. They represented the District in the 2019-20 Orange County Teachers of the Year program. Venezia was named a semifinalist in the county program. Tustin Unified’s other 2019 School Site Teachers of the Year include: Elementary School – Donna Anderson, Arroyo; Junka Ezaki, Benson; Jon Carroll, Beswick; Elizabeth Cometa, Guin Foss; Becky Roumimper, Heideman; Tara Pauley, Heritage; Cathy Gumz, Hicks Canyon; Sara Blair, Ladera; Jillian Rose, Loma Vista; Kristan Bruce, Myford; Wendi Hurley, Nelson; Orchard Hills; Robyn Strong, Peters Canyon; Tracy Edmisten, Red Hill; Janet Hertogh, Thorman; Tustin Memorial Academy; Joanna Blaney, Tustin Ranch; and Sara Giorgi Smith, Veeh. Middle School – Mario Cortes, Columbus Tustin; Hannah Byun, Currie; Eryn O’Day, Hewes; Jazmin Memon, Orchard Hills; Heather Tolliver, Pioneer; and Aaron Boyce, Utt. High School – Joanne McDermott, Foothill; Ivan Ramirez, Hillview; and Sheila Moeller, Tustin

Dive Into Reading – Loma Vista Elementary School teacher Krista Johnson and her first- and second-grade students participated in their second annual Reading by the Pool for Readers Workshop. In celebration of all the students’ reading growth and success, they brought floaties and transformed the classroom into a pool. They used flexible seating at its finest and read by the pool while listening to tropical tunes. The students will make a splash into summer and continue their reading growth by taking part in a school-wide book challenge. Students will read with their families and complete STEAM activities along the way. Happy summer, everyone!

Follow Superintendent Franklin and TUSD on Twitter!

During the year, get the latest news and information! You can always follow Superintendent Gregory Franklin and the Tustin Unified School District on Twitter: @SuptFranklin and @TUSDschools. “Like” us on Facebook: TUSDschools. Stay in touch with us!

The Franklin Almanac is produced by the TUSD Communications Office.

For questions, comments or information, contact: Mark Eliot, Director of Communications and Public Information

(714) 730-7339 or meliot@tustin.k12.ca.us